Which term describes death of tissue due to loss of blood supply?

• A. Ischemia
• B. Necrosis
• C. Gangrene
• D. Atrophy

Answer: (C)

Death of tissue from reduced blood flow is necrosis. When blood supply is cut off (ischeia), tissues are deprived of oxygen and nutrients; if the interruption is prolonged, cells undergo irreversible injury and die, which is necrosis. Ischemia describes the lack of blood flow that can lead to necrosis but is not by itself the tissue death. Gangrene refers to necrosis that has become infected or is accompanied by tissue decay, often presenting in a clinical form (dry or wet), and is thus a specific type of necrosis rather than the general term. Atrophy, by contrast, is a decrease in tissue size, not death.